Natural Emotional Memory

                                                      Scent Point at Six Months Old

A dog’s instinct is to chase.  Another instinct is to pause before pouncing on their prey.   Pointing dogs find game by scent and have a more developed instinct to pause, hence, pointing out the location of the game.  These pointing dogs are then trained to maintain the point until the game bird is flushed and shot.  When Rikki, my German Shorthaired Pointer, is on point, she is almost mesmerized.  If you look at her eyes, she appears to be in a trance like state as she stands statuesque never blinking or moving.  This trance is certainly an emotional experience with the reward of powerfully positive brain chemistry (neurotransmitters).

When she was pregnant, my older friend suggested that I put her on point saying it would help the offspring later.  While I did not entirely believe it would make any difference, it certainly could not hurt.  Much to my amazement the puppies demonstrated an unusually strong pointing instinct without training.  They would stand point and not give chase as previous litters.  Is this purely genetic or did the puppies experience the emotions of the mother in the womb making it more likely for them to respond in the same way? 

This example opens many possible questions.  Could the emotional experiences of the mother be “imprinted” on the offspring?  The concept of cellular memory has been studied in many life forms including yeast, worms, and mice.  There are many theories as to how such memory works.  We are a culmination of all the life experiences of the past.  In some ways our brain is hard wired to seek out and experience the same thoughts, feelings, or emotions that we have always experienced.  Changing these patterns is the frontier of medicine.

EVOX

Natural Addiction

It had been just 14 hours since the last one.  As he drove home the thought emerged and grew as a compulsion.  The route changed toward the closest store.  Even as he pulled into the parking lot, he thought, “I can’t do this”, but he was soon back in the car and lit one up.  The relief was immediate, and the guilt short-lived.

Addiction in an amazing thing, for no matter the cost, the addiction is king.  You can lose your health, money, friends, family, and life all for the temporary stimulus that supports the neurotransmitters of the brain.  The definition of an addiction is simply something that you cannot stop.  Most think of addiction in terms of substance such as cigarettes, drugs, alcohol, coffee, or food.  It could also include a risk-taking behavior, sex, gambling, a job, religion, or even the emotions we create.  Emotions could include anger, self-pity, or continuous drama.  Rarely would one think of such emotions as addictive, but in reality, the brain activity is the same.  As it happens, you are doing what the brain is telling you to do which begs the question, “Who is in charge?”  The brain is screaming, “Give me my fix!

Your brain is hard wired for the brain chemistry that you experience.  This means that the more you experience something, the more normal it becomes, and the more you have to have that thing to feel normal.  Some substances are so potent, they can immediately change the brain chemistry to “require” that particular substance.  Cigarettes are designed to be addictive.  Some will say, “It helps me relax.”  What is missed here is the cigarette creates withdrawal and anxiety that must be satisfied by smoking another.  Of course it helps you relax, but the addiction created the need. 

There is a hereditary aspect to addictions.  In foods, such as wheat and dairy, the body changes the proteins to opiate like compounds.  Individuals that are asked to eliminate one of these may actually ask, “What can I eat?”  They cannot conceive eating anything else.  In other hereditary aspects, the dopamine receptor in the brain can have a defect that allows individuals to be susceptible to some substance.  The use of amphetamine type, Attention Deficit drugs can contribute to this problem. 

When you consider making a change, eliminate all addictive substances to avoid substance transfer.  If you stop the smoking, but drink coffee, you may increase coffee consumption.  If you quit drinking alcohol, you can transfer the addictive process to cigarettes and coffee.  (Of course, for the serious alcoholic, coffee and cigarettes is better than the alcohol.)  Any use of any addictive substance will keep the addictive process alive.

So, how can you quit a substance?

1. Reach the decision point for change.
2. Pick a date.
3. Pray.  All well recognized addiction programs suggest praying to God for help, as recognition that you can not do it alone.
4. If the substance is cigarettes try Natural Creations Tobacco Snuffer Spray
5. For other addictions, try Addiction Formula
6. Increase the body’s detoxification by drinking water, exercise, and sweating.
7. Activated Charcoal can adsorb drug toxins in the body.

Support systems can be helpful depending on your perspective.  I do prefer programs that are positive.  Programs that are negative may suggest that you can never be anything else.  Change your mind.  Change your body.

Stay Well!

This information is not intended for a serious dysfunctional drug substance abuse problem that may require substance abuse counseling or inpatient care.